Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

What does Von Thünen's Agricultural Land-Use Model illustrate?

1. The social impacts of agricultural practices

2. The relationship between land cost and transportation costs

3. The differences in agricultural technology between regions

4. The ecological consequences of farming practices

The correct answer is: The relationship between land cost and transportation costs

Von Thünen's Agricultural Land-Use Model illustrates the relationship between land cost and transportation costs in relation to agricultural practices. This model, developed in the early 19th century, explains how different types of farming are located at varying distances from a central market based on the cost of moving goods. The model posits that as one moves further away from the market, the cost of land decreases, but transportation costs for perishable goods become more significant. Therefore, intensively farmed items that are susceptible to spoilage, like dairy and vegetables, will be produced closer to the market, while less perishable crops, such as grains, will be located further away. This demonstrates the spatial organization of agriculture based on economic considerations. Understanding this model is crucial, as it captures the complexity of agricultural economics, land use, and the importance of transportation logistics in determining the location and type of agricultural production. Zeroing in on this relationship allows geographers and agricultural economists to better analyze the distribution of agricultural practices and the spatial dynamics at play in rural landscapes.